200kg of illegally imported food products from China uncovered by ICA and seized, woman fined $12k

A woman was fined $12,000 by the court on Wednesday (May 3) for illegally importing assorted meat products and processed food.

On Feb 7, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Ports Command detected anomalies in the scanned images of a consignment carrying assorted cargoes.

ICA officers uncovered food products that were imported without a valid import permit.

The case was then referred to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), whose investigation found more than 200kg of food products illegally imported from China.

In Singapore, food imports must meet SFA’s requirements. Illegally imported food products of unknown sources can pose a food safety risk. Food can only be imported by licensed importers, and every consignment must be declared and accompanied with a valid import permit.

In addition, meat and its products can only be imported from accredited sources in approved countries that comply with our food safety standards and requirements.

Offenders who import meat products illegally from unapproved sources or found in possession of meat products for the purpose of selling, which were imported without a valid licence, shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 and/or imprisonment of up to two years.

In the case of a subsequent conviction, offenders shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000 and/or imprisonment of up to three years.

In addition, offenders who illegally import processed food shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and in the case of a subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $2,000.